We've had this rhododendron for a few years now and it has never really grown up. It flowers a few times in the summer, but continues it looks really sad and pathetic. It's in full sun in the morning and then mostly shade after noon.

I'm (very) new at gardening so am reading up on the plant and am not sure what advice to follow. I know that the soil PH is 6.25, which may be the issue?? I've read mixing vinegar w water will help the soil be more acidic, but I don't want to make things worse.

Any ideas?

Dawn - I wouldn't go the vinegar route - a little too imprecise. I would recommend a couple of things. You can use a fertilizer for acid-loving plants. Espoma makes a good one. I wouldn't fertilize it at this point as any new growth might not have a chance to harden off. We're really only about 2 months away from our first frost. But for sure use some in the spring. One thing that you can do now is pull back the wood mulch and mulch with 1" to 2" of milled sphagnum peat moss. It's the stuff that comes in different sized bales. Don't put the wood mulch back on top of the peat moss. The peat moss will help acidify the soil gently.

Espoma's Hollytone is great for acid loving plants and you can get a big bag that will go a long way for around $20